Do male and female cops were different types of hats, or have I misunderstood?
Posted by Jerswar@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 19 comments
It feels like every image I've seen of a male British cop he's wearing what I typically think of a police cap, while a female one wears what is more of a fedora. Is it a matter of rank or what?
Jazzlike-Basil1355@reddit
I served in a force with a “nipple” on the top of the helmet. There were those who had a rose, a coxcomb, or a black rose and plate. Hampshire had a large badge on the from, as did the City of London, but their plate was more discreet. The City also wore red and white check. Sadly, with budget cuts, the helmets are now mostly roses, with forces losing their identity. It used to be something you were proud to wear.
Ok-Monitor-6807@reddit
Wear, not were.
pafrac@reddit
Depends if it's a full moon or not
weedywet@reddit
Points
KingLuke2024@reddit
Yes, they do wear different hats. It's the same in some parts of the armed forces as well.
theemediastudent@reddit
where you perhaps at wembley park today? because i has the exact same thought today
SoggyWotsits@reddit
Where, wear, were, it’s all a mystery apparently!
Dismal_Birthday7982@reddit
I don't think I've seen a copper wearing a hat for about 20 years. North Yorkshire here.
PipBin@reddit
Back when I was a kid in the 70s police men wore the tall rounded hats and carried a truncheon. Police women (then known as WPCs) wore something like a bowler hat, had to wear a skirt and were armed with a handbag.
crucible@reddit
Put some respect on June Ackland, lol!
Averyingyoursympathy@reddit
"What a waste of council tax"
Phyllida_Poshtart@reddit
70s police men wore the tall rounded hats
That looked like a tit lol which is why we all called 'em bluetits! ....was funny at aged 14 :)
whatisthisfuxkery@reddit
Hey, those handbag had bricks in them! Do not mess with a WPC from the 70s
Fantastic_Deer_3772@reddit
Noting that down for my next go at timetravelling
Fizzabl@reddit
I know one of each gender in the force, and yet I could not tell you lmao
AverageCheap4990@reddit
https://youtu.be/2M7GP8RSDew?si=eLQTpjv-BuVnI6mZ
This will explain all.
Panceltic@reddit
Yep, see here
Foronerd@reddit
Note: I’m not British, just noticed this and knew something about the topic. Google is your friend. The ‘police cap’ is called a peaked cap, it’s used around the world in (para)military and law enforcement services. The ‘fedora’ is a bowler cap.
Here are some resources: Kit list: https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2021/september_2021/cost-make-model-and-manufacture-of-uniform-items-to-be-worn-by-police-officers2 FOI request about gendered headwear: https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/metropolitan-police/d/may-2022/headwear-issued-to-male-and-female-officers/ Dress code: https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/policies/dress-code-policy-september2022.pdf
(These docs are from 2021-2022 so they may be out of date)
Foronerd@reddit
Also, here’s the Wikipedia page which has some historical gear information with citations
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_uniforms_and_equipment_in_the_United_Kingdom